Come see the improvements at the Historical Society

April 28, 2013

I am writing on behalf of the Historical Society of Marshall County, usually known as that museum across from St. Paul's Episcopal Church and the pawn shop. We have done a rehab on the main downstairs rooms of the museum and I would like to invite everyone to come and see our fabulous results. But I also want the community to know the wonderful contractors and volunteers who made this possible.

I wish I knew the name of every painter, plasterer, and sales person, but I hope that by listing the main contractors our community will support them, knowing they have done a great job within a limited budget. Accent Drywall & Plastering, Pro-Finish Painting, Menards, Service Master of Marshalltown, Brian Brady Installations and West Electric all helped make it happen. Volunteers included Dan Mills, Shannon Lacey and Tony Miles. The project was guided and scheduled by the amazing Scott Mason with Juli Hinson on the phone, in the attic, or wherever we needed her. The Central Iowa Genealogical Society, whose home is in the museum, showed patience and were helpful in protecting our joined library collection. Another of our partners, The Early American Glass club, moved their collection into our beautiful new space, taking the time and effort to give glass from 49 States an extra special sparkle.

This was work done to a building that was built as a single family home in 1870 for George Glick and his growing family. He sold his other home, built in 1859, to George Sower; you may know it best as the Susie Sower House. When the Glicks moved on, the museum building became home to the Fletcher family. The building went through some hard times until the 1980s when members of the Historical Society saw the potential for a permanent museum. We still have a long way to go to bring our distinguished lady back to her gracious past, but with the support of so many in Marshall County, we will succeed. Thank you, thank you!

The museum is open from 10-4 on Tuesday through Thursday or by appointment. The Sower House is open for tours by appointment, contact the museum for details.